Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘Dog grooming’

How to give your dog a bath

Bath time, it could turn out to be a looked forward event or a dreaded event for your dog. It all depends on what you make out of it.Bathing your pet takes time, make sure you have allowed for this.  This will make your dog more comfortable if you are not rushed.

Dirt and odors love dogs, which makes learning how to give a dog a bath an essential part of caring for your pet. You may have had past experiences or visions of your dog running through the house half-soaped up and shaking water all over your furniture. Bath time doesn’t have to be a an occasion to dread if you plan ahead and give your pet a bath he’ll enjoy.  Have patients with your pet.  I am a groomer and believe me when I tell you patients is awarding for both you and your pet.   I have a couple clients that have dogs that only have three legs , one is terrified of water, but all these dogs have trust in me, I have taken the time to show them how to stand, how to relax in the tub, bath time can be frightening to many pets. 

If you have read “about Cheyenne” in my blog, you will understand that not all dogs are the same.She used to be scared when I bathed her, she would hit the panic button big time! I will never get upset with her, I show her that I won’t hurt her and the bath is a good thing.  I still have to be very slow with her, but she has accepted bath time without to much trouble.

First you want to gather you bath supplies, collect all the supplies you’ll need for bath before you start.  Some of the essential dog bath supplies that I like to use include:

Brush or comb: Have on hand the appropriate grooming brush or comb for your dog’s coat. One of my best recommendations is the Soft Rubber Dog Brush – Removes loose hair like a magnet, stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and coats.

Dog Shampoo and Cream Rinse: Be sure to use a Shampoo and Cream Rinse formulated for your pet.A word to the wise, don’t use prodcuts made for people to bath your pet, these prodcuts don’t have the appropriate pH balance and may harm your pets coat and skin. I like to use an Oatmeal base shampoo; it seems to help with the itches. 

Small Cotton Balls: These are for there ears, you need to keep water and soap clear of their ears.

Plastic Pitcher or Removable Shower head:  The pitcher works great if you don’t have a removable shower head for wetting and rinsing you pet.

Lots of Towels for Drying your pet.

A couple optional items you might like to use when you give your dog a bath are special ophthalmic ointment to keep your dogs eyes from being burned by the shampoo this is available from your veterinarian or a pet supply store, and an ear dry solution if your dog has a lot of ear infections.

Eight steps for bathing your dog:

When you have everything gathered up, its time to give your dog a bath!  A word of warning is be sure to close the door to the bathroom or whatever room you’re using to bath them, you don’t want any escapee’s…

Step one: Brush you dog

Be sure to always brush you dog before giving them there bath (this is also an important step in weekly dog grooming) you want to remove loose hair, tangles, and mats – bathing them before your do this will only make the tangles worse.

Step two:  It time to jump into the tub

Place your dog into the tub, if they will climb in the tub this is very helpful if not gently place your pet into the tub, remember you don’t want to scare them.  This is when you will want to put the cotton balls in the ears and apply the protective eye ointment in there eyes if you’re so inclined.

Step three: Get your pet wet!

Checking the temperature of the water is important to your pet, make sure it is lukewarm.  Start from the front and move to the back and the underneath, save his head for last – a dog with a dry head has less of a tendency to shake, since the best shakes start from the front and move back.   You can keep a better hold of your pet with his hair dry around his neck and head.

Step four: Time for the Shampoo

You will want to use a generous amount of shampoo, (but go easy on the shampoo around his head and ears).  Work the shampoo in to nice lather starting at the neck and moving back to the tail.Don’t forget to shampoo between their toes and make sure you get there bellly.  If your dog has a longer coat, be sure to squeeze and press the shampoo through his hair rather than rubbing it, this can cause tangles.

Step five:  Rinse and repeat if necessary

Rinse out the soap completely, Turn you hand over your dogs and check for any left over soap.  Soap left on your dog can cause skin irritation.  Be thorough when rinsing!  If you dog is real dirty and smelly you may have reapply the soap to the offending areas wash and rinse again. 

Step six: Wash the face last

Wet you dog’s head carefully and use your fingers or wash cloth to soap up his skull, muzzle and ears.  Keep the soap away from his eyes.Rinse everything again from front to back and do one last check for soapy residue that may need rinsing. 

Step seven:  Apply the cream rinse

Once you have your dog completely rinsed, it is time to apply the Cream Rinse.A good hint to keep your cream rinse from going on to heavy, mix it half and half with water.  Massage the cream rinse evenly all over your pet. I like to try and comb or brush the cream rinse into there coats, I feel this enhances their coat, and helps eliminates snarls in there coats. Be sure to rinse your pet thoroughly front to back as you did when you shampooed your dog.

Step eight: Prepare Yourself for the shake!

Remove the cotton balls from your dog’s ears.I have found if your hold a towel up and stand back your pet will shake themselves almost dry.Towel drying your dog as much as you can.  If they have long hair remember to pat them dry this will help avoid tangles.If your dog will stand still for this, you can use a blow dryer to help dry them.  After a pleasant bath your dog may go nuts!Expect a sudden burst of craziness – rolling and running threw the house.  Keep them inside and out of drafts until they are completely dry.I have found that where ever your pet likes to lay, place a towel there to help absorb any excess water. 

That is it; you are all done with your pet’s bath.  See it isn’t that bad.Bathing your dog should be a regular practice with your dog grooming program.Be sure to have the appropriate grooming supplies and equipment on hand, makes theings so much easier during bath time. 

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It’s a universal truth that humans love to have dogs as pets. Through history most humans have kept dogs for companionship. This is mainly due to the fact that they are the most loyal creatures in the planet towards humans. Some joke saying that certain dogs are even more loyal than humans. Parents like to give puppies as presents to their children since dogs provide both company and are enjoyment especially in the case of puppies. A lot of people are also involved in dog breeding, as a business as well as a pastime. For these people breeding female dog is considered to be a lucrative area, this mainly due to the good demand for female dogs in the market.

When breeding a female dog it is important to be experienced in it. The results would generally depend on your understanding of the matter. There are many videos on breeding female dog online as well as other places like pet shops, book stores and DVD stores. The same goes for book on breeding female dog. Many breeders around the country have come to know the task through ages of being in the business and therefore know precisely what to do at the exact time. Getting an idea on dog breeding might be tough for those who are new to the subject. But through some help the ways of breeding female dog as well as male ones would be your own secret. 

Dog breeding tends to be quite profitable due to a variety of factors. For one thing many families and other people looking for pets would go for a dog rather than any other animal, the key cause being the loyalty and the second reason being cleverness. A lot of farmers and life stock owners as well as rich businessman use watchdogs to protect their valuable property. Also female dogs are considered to be the superior watchdogs as well. Also a female dog have the ability to reproduce therefore it means the litter will be there as pets or to be sold to make some money. These and many other reasons keep the demand high on dogs and especially female dogs.

Therefore breeding female dogs will no doubt be the best option while breeding male dogs aren’t much of a bad thing either after weighing in the fact that both sexes have the same abilities. So begin breeding female dog now and be ahead of all the others

Many schools and accredited institutions provide dog grooming training for people interested in following a career in this field of activity. Thanks to a comprehensive range of programs, trainees can learn how to perform pet care according to the highest standards. After you complete dog grooming training you can get a job in a pet care organization or start your own pet grooming business. Traditional dog grooming training takes place in accredited schools that function according to a well established curriculum. Internet programs do not offer the same reliability although they allow for a more flexible program. Another criticism against home training is the lack of resources and the impossibility to develop proper skills.

A lot of emphasis is placed on video materials in distance dog grooming training, because they are supposed to cover the practical part of the education. It is up to you to decide whether this kind of programs are suitable for starting a new career or not. The institution where you complete the dog grooming training should provide certifications once you pass the graduation test; ask for information at the Better Business Bureau before you decide to take classes with one school or another.

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The costs of dog grooming training represent another issue worth considering because budget often has limitations. Long distance programs are usually cheaper than traditional school attendance. Nevertheless, there are pros and cons for any situation, yet, experts definitely recommend in-class training as you can develop skills better and get first-hand work experience. Thus, if you have the possibility to complete dog grooming training in a local school, choose this variant over the Internet distance studies.

We cannot conclude without touching on the fact that all forms of dog grooming training are rather new and modern. The demand for professional groomers have increased over the last three decades but thirty years ago, dog grooming definitely didn’t sound like a promising job, not to mention career. Social transformations have given birth to such careers in the first place, hence the need for dog grooming training with the following generations. This means that when you choose an educational program with a ten or fifteen year tradition in the branch, this could make a difference for your training. Longer lasting training traditions thus become better school references.

A rewarding but challenging profession, a dog grooming career is built on solid special education or training. The first and most popular choice is that of attending a dog grooming school, but there is always the possibility of taking Internet courses. The entire training process heavily relies on practical applications conducted under the supervision of a trainer. Working on a live pet, learning about the various needs of the animals that are met by grooming represent essential stages for the creation of skills. A dog grooming school organize other types of classes as well such as placement assistance or vet technician training.

Home study programs make an alternative to a classic dog grooming school. Normally, programs are structured in six or eight-week curricula. The program should be accredited by an official institution, and it is a good idea to check for the accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. There are community colleges, trade schools and universities that take into consideration the education achieved in a dog grooming school or the certification obtained in a home study program. For anyone who considers a career in dog grooming, an evaluation of the alternatives is essential.

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Between distance learning and direct training, the latter is definitely more adequate for one’s needs, thanks to the practical side of teaching. Local groomers can become a valuable source of information when you don’t know which dog grooming school to follow; ask them how they’ve started their careers and see if they can help. You have all the advantages imaginable if you go to a local institution because this means that you’ll be able to practice directly on animals and thus develop the skills properly. Then, equipment is another problem, since long distance courses do not provide supplies on which to train.

Tools are available with the dog grooming school supplies and you will not have to invest at this stage; you can wait until later when you have the money or you want to open your own business. Once you complete the program of a dog grooming school you will be a certified groomer with the possibility to go for an independent business career or to get a job in a pet salon, vet or rescue center. Finally, if you have several school options to choose from, make comparisons between their educational standards and the costs they require for the courses.

A dog grooming video is most commonly a form of didactic material used to train people for pet care professions. In fact, this is the very specificity of most Internet courses and learning programs specialized in dog grooming. People who prefer to train for a new profession at home depend on such materials to understand the practical parts of the occupation and eventually develop skills. Presently the Internet is full of video materials that have nothing didactic to them: you can find funny stuff filmed by amateurs or professional videos shot for very clear purposes. Thus, whether for practical functionality or for sheer entertainment, a dog grooming video could may provide good tips for dog care.

From a simple dog grooming video you could in fact learn how to trim the dog’s nails, for instance, and thus stop paying for professional services. However, the source and the quality of the video are very important. Plenty of incorrect methods and amateurish improvisations come to be used as professional advice because of pseudo-professional dog grooming video files. Make a good selection of your sources before you can decide whether the information is trustworthy or not. The quality of the video also says something about the validity of the information.

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People who own dogs that require more special maintenance should be very careful with putting into practice the tips in a dog grooming video because they could make a mess out of the pet’s coat. Grooming very hairy dogs is something to be left to professionals, and you could only carry out very simple tasks such as daily brushing and nail filing. Another inconvenience here is that heavy-coated dogs require the use of special grooming tools that you may not have around the house. Plus, there is no room for improvisations, and everything has to be carried out carefully and with consideration for the dog.

An unhappy experiment initiated on the basis of a dog grooming video could make your pet scared of grooming. Animals don’t like nail trimming for instance; well this could become a nightmare if you scare it once by being clumsy or unprepared for the challenge. Troubles come from the fact that the operations presented in demo dog grooming video materials seem easy, but the reason they appear so doable is because they are performed by professionals. The video characters most certainly know what they are doing, and they certainly have skill and experience in the field. When you lack both, your attempt to home groom could be a disaster!

Dog grooming supplies or equipment are necessary for any vet center, grooming salon or kennels as well as for pet owners who prefer home maintenance for their four-legged friends. Supplies need investment, because quality service requires the right tools for coat grooming, nail trimming, washing, ear and eyes cleaning. Moreover, depending on the specificity of the business, mobile services allow professional grooming at the client’s home. Here are just a few examples of dog grooming supplies necessary for home or professional use alike. The number of dog grooming supplies is nevertheless limited for home use.

A grooming table with a noose or a grooming arm is a necessity in a grooming salon but not at home. This kind of dog grooming supplies improve work conditions a lot because of the possibility to adjust height to a comfortable level. Drop the table for large breeds and raise it for smaller ones. Moreover, dog grooming supplies should include items capable of restraining the dog on the table so that it stays still but comfortable at the same time.

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Non-slip coverings are sometimes overlooked by amateurs when shopping for dog grooming supplies. The thing is that a wet, possibly frightened dog is hard to keep on the table without losing its footing. Non-slip coverings provide a surface that eases and speeds up work. As for combs and brushes, home users don’t have to invest much in such dog grooming supplies, as they can buy something highly specialized that corresponds to the dog’s features. For example, with a natural bristle brush, you can comb the pet’s hair and even distribute the oils on the fur, so that bathing is not required more often than once a month.

Matting may become an issue if you don’t groom thick-haired dogs daily. There are special dog grooming supplies used for de-matting but only when the fur is highly unkempt. For very serious mats, only coat shaving helps. Check guides and catalogs to identify the right dog grooming supplies particularly when you know that a simple brush is not enough to complete the grooming. More or less professional help is available, depending where you look for the services in question, as long as you don’t neglect grooming tasks, it simply doesn’t matter who bathes and grooms the dog.

The main equipment item in any groomer’s salon is the dog grooming table. Without it, hair de-matting, cutting and nail trimming would be highly difficult. A dog grooming table allows one to get the dog at a reasonable height for easy access to the nails, coat, eyes and ears . The extensive use of the equipment in professional grooming salons only speaks of the many applications that this item enables. Moreover, lots of other tools depend on the table for proper functionality. Some tables have a loop, noose or arm incorporated, while others don’t. Grooming would be a nightmare and virtually impossible without such basic equipment.

The diversity of models is also a proof of the efficiency of different dog grooming table designs. It is advisable to buy tables that have a grooming arm or noose incorporated so that you may pay less than you would by making separate purchases. Electric, stationary or hydraulic, the dog grooming table simply makes grooming tasks doable. By far the most expensive models are electric because you can automatically drop the table surface at a convenient work height according to the dog’s size.

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Hydraulic tables work in a very similar way but they are less costly. The comfort of a dog grooming table is that it prevents stooping, bending and other impossible work conditions. If you don’t have the money to buy an expensive design, the stationary dog grooming table remains the only reasonable variant. It will be more difficult to adjust the table legs manually, but this is nevertheless possible. Besides these adjustment criteria, you can also select a dog grooming table according to the table top size. As for home use, the dog grooming table has to match the dog breed.

Both pets and owners greatly benefit from the advantages of a dog grooming table installed at home. The initial investment could be justified if your pet requires lots of grooming sessions per month. Instead of taking the pet to the salon, you can perform the grooming routine yourself thus cutting back on costs. Small and medium-sized dogs can benefit from this form of treatment as long as they don’t have thick hair. Otherwise, the dog grooming table makes a poor home purchase, and professional maintenance is a must, whether you like it or not.

Not everybody can afford to pay a few hundred dollars per month to cover the pet’s grooming costs. People more willingly turn to dog grooming tips to care for their four-legged friends at home, as a form of saving money. Unfortunately, with more special breeds, home grooming is a nightmare.

Brushes have to be well chosen to match the hair thickness and length. Maximum two brushes should do for regular brushing. Read some dog grooming tips to see which items are more suitable for your dog’s coat. Check pictures and then find the items either at the local pet store or directly online from various dealers.

You can also learn how to clean the pet’s ears by reading professional dog grooming tips. Hair, wax and dirt accumulate in the ear canals and reducing the auditive acuity of your pet. The hair needs to be carefully pulled out frequently, so that wax does not build up on it. Use some special accessories that you put on the fingers when gripping this hair, because both scissors and the naked fingers can cause damage to the tissues.

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Clipping toenails is another challenge, and many home dog grooming tips can help you with it. Pet owners dhate long claws because dogs can cause damage to the floors and carpets by scratching. You’ll just need a pair of nail clippers and a few dog grooming tips about how to cut the nails without hurting the dog and keeping the discomfort minimum. Read online materials and even ask the veterinarian for recommendations.

The eyes also require special care, particularly stains appear under the eyes because of tears. Tearing can be natural with some breeds, while with others it is a symptom of a health problem. For light colored dogs that develop stains, you can use some hydrogen peroxide for hair discoloration, but you need to pay attention not to touch the eyes. Such a solution is strictly valid for the stained area, and may not always prove a good dog grooming solution.

Otherwise, with a little care and interest, you can implement many dog grooming tips successfully for your pet’s well being. Keep in mind the fact that grooming needs to be performed regularly, and that you should have time to take care of it every week. The condition of the hair and the nails rapidly deteriorates without proper care and you will notice the difference that comes with this kind of negligence.

A dog grooming business can be difficult to grow when you want it functional fast! Marketing seems to be the key to the success of a dog grooming business, as you may have the skills but not know how to market them. A dog groomer is supposed to love animals, that is more than part of the job, but he/she also needs to make the potential customers aware of the benefits of your working on their dogs. First of all, where is the advantage of professional services over home grooming? Ask yourself this question and you’ll know how to attract customers. The advantage of professional work is that the pet owner can get a job well done, while saving time and effort.

Specialized equipment and a good work environment are essential for a dog grooming business. There are mobile grooming services too, with the groomer coming to the client’s home. Skills are essential for the success of a good dog grooming business. The National Dog Groomers Association organizes special tests, and on their basis it provides accreditation. Then, another advantage and requirement of this profession is that you understand animals and be able to handle more special personalities.

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A wet slippery dog may not be easy to work with, but with experience, patience and gentleness you’ll manage things just fine. A dog grooming business has to be trustworthy in order to become profitable. Clients’ loyalty grants you the advantage of free advertising. If you have pleased customers, more people in the neighborhood will be knocking on your door for services. Provide special prices for small sized dogs or for short-haired breeds, as these categories are often neglected. Bonuses and discounts may help you promote the dog grooming business as well.

Keep in mind that a dog grooming business is client oriented, and in time you will learn how to improve services. Suggestions could be very welcome from clients, vets and technicians. If you talk to the veterinarians in the neighborhood you may be able to place some fliers with them and even get the chance of being recommended. The classifieds in the local newspapers and the Internet could also work for the right advertising of a dog grooming business. Strategies differ depending on the market, but with skills, experience and some marketing tactics, you should be able to earn you a decent living.

Dog grooming equipment is a necessity when you are a professional groomer or when you take care of your pet’s needs at home. For home use, the number of items necessary for grooming is not too high, and the specificity should match the dog breed first and foremost. The supplies we are going to discuss here are usually used in professional grooming salons to make the grooming process a lot easier and comfortable for the animals. The best idea is to start with a minimum dog grooming equipment that is well chosen and customized to fit your needs.

The table is indeed the most important element of the dog grooming equipment. It is very difficult to work on a pet by standing or sitting in a very uncomfortable position. Therefore, a table allows adjusting to the height that is the most comfortable for brushing, washing and nail trimming. Cheap or expensive, there are lots of designs of grooming tables to choose from. Stationary tables, electric tables or hydraulic tables, you can take your pick according to budget and needs. Consider this item of dog grooming equipment very seriously, because it is essential for work.

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Besides the table, dog grooming brushes are the next important items on a list of priorities; careful matching to the dog breed is necessary, and several models should be available in the salon. Dogs with long thick hair will require more special grooming and the use of  rather complex dog grooming equipment, with the alternation of several types of brushes. Not the same thing can be said about short-haired breeds that are a lot easier to groom. Scissors, clippers, blades and all sorts of combs can also prove handy items of dog grooming equipment with numerous practical applications.

Regular pet shops and stores sell dog grooming equipment and supplies. Advantageous offers and good discounts are also available with online dealers, and they are certainly worth checking. Invest your money wisely in dog grooming equipment, particularly if you are preparing for a business launch. Individual items may seem cheap, but when you get the total costs, you’ll see that it is definitely not little money.

Dog grooming equipment ought to meet the pet’s needs, and diversity generally serves for business purposes. Therefore, start spending money once you have decided what is or isn’t practical.